President Trump will address the nation about the Iran war at 9 p.m. Eastern Wednesday, the White House said, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt calling it “an important update” and offering no further detail.
On Tuesday Trump said he expected the conflict to be over in two to three weeks, adding, “we’ll be leaving very soon,” and promising gas prices would then “come tumbling down.” He downplayed the impact of the blockaded Strait of Hormuz — which has cut off about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply — saying the U.S. would have “nothing to do with it” and suggesting other countries could “fend for themselves.” He previously told some European allies to “go get your own oil.”
Those comments followed Trump threats to escalate if Tehran did not reopen the strait, saying he could seize Iran’s oil and destroy electric generating and desalination plants, and that he was considering an invasion of Kharg Island, Iran’s key oil export terminal.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday echoed Trump’s timeline, saying the main goal — preventing Iran from building a nuclear weapon — had been achieved. Rubio outlined objectives as the destruction of Iran’s air force and navy, a severe diminution of its missile-launching capability, and the destruction of its factories. He did not mention “regime change,” a goal the administration had previously touted; Trump has said regime change was achieved despite Iran remaining a hardline theocracy.
Here are updates on day 33 of the Iran war:
Regional fighting overnight
– The Israel Defense Forces said they struck 230 targets in Tehran while widening operations into Lebanon. Iran has been striking back at Gulf neighbors, especially military bases used by the U.S.; one of those attacks injured as many as 20 U.S. service members in Saudi Arabia.
– Since the war began, 13 U.S. service members have been killed; Iran reports more than 1,700 dead.
– Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed missile attacks on Israel that the Israeli military intercepted and vowed to escalate attacks.
– Israeli emergency services reported Iranian missiles fired at central Israel injured 14 people, including children.
– Iranian drones hit fuel depots at Kuwait’s international airport, causing a large fire a day after a Kuwaiti oil tanker off Dubai was struck.
– In Qatar, a missile launched by Iran struck an oil tanker leased to QatarEnergy; the company said there were no injuries or environmental damage.
UK, Australia leaders speak
– British Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the nation about the rising cost of living caused by the conflict and repeated that the U.K. will take only “defensive” action against Iranian attacks and will not be drawn into the war. He said the foreign secretary will convene an international summit on the Strait of Hormuz to restore freedom of navigation.
– Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also gave a national address. His government will halve the fuel tax for three months to ease costs, urged use of public transport, cautioned against hoarding fuel, and warned economic shocks from the war will linger for months.
Iran
– Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s Parliamentary National Security Committee, told Trump on social media the Strait of Hormuz would reopen “but not for you,” declaring “47 years of hospitality are over forever.” Iran approved a bill to charge vessels for crossing the waterway.
– About 20,000 seafarers remain aboard ships trapped near the strait in an active war zone; many are from the Philippines, Bangladesh and India and some vessels reportedly face shortages of food and water. The U.N.’s International Maritime Organization is negotiating with all sides to evacuate them.
American journalist kidnapped in Iraq
– American freelance reporter Shelly Kittleson was abducted in Baghdad on Tuesday, Al-Monitor reported. Iraqi security forces intercepted a crashed vehicle and arrested one suspected kidnapper but are still searching for Kittleson and other suspects.
– U.S. officials said they are working to secure her release. Dylan Johnson, assistant secretary of state for global public affairs, said the State Department had previously warned her of threats and is coordinating with the FBI to ensure her release.
– Iraqi authorities reportedly apprehended a suspect linked to Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah. Press freedom groups including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders called for urgent action to locate and free Kittleson.
U.S. defense secretary visits troops
– Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an undisclosed trip to the Middle East over the weekend to visit troops. He described speaking with Air Force and Navy pilots who “every day both deliver bombs deep into Iran, but also shoot down drones defending their base,” and said many had just returned from missions over Iran.
– Hegseth said he observed an “urgency to finish the job” and emphasized efforts to improve bunkers and layered air defenses to protect personnel and aircraft.
– The trip comes after Iranian strikes on a Saudi base last Friday injured more than a dozen U.S. service members and damaged U.S. aircraft. The Pentagon said 13 U.S. service members have been killed and 300 wounded in what it calls Operation Epic Fury.
Aid hold-up
– The World Food Program says tens of thousands of tons of food aid are stuck in ports because of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Carriers are avoiding the Strait of Hormuz and many are reluctant to use the Suez Canal amid fears of attacks, disrupting global supply chains, adding transit time and increasing costs as fuel prices spike.
– The WFP warns that if current conditions persist through June, an additional 45 million people could fall into acute hunger, raising the global total to about 363 million.
Pakistan, China release statement
– Pakistan’s and China’s foreign ministers issued a joint statement calling for talks to end the war as part of a broader peace plan, urging a halt to fire, an end to attacks on civilian infrastructure, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
– Pakistani officials have expressed hope to mediate; China is Iran’s biggest oil customer and is seen as sympathetic to Tehran.
Reporting contributions: Jane Arraf in Amman, Diaa Hadid in Mumbai, Quil Lawrence in New York, Giles Snyder, Michele Kelemen in Washington, Emily Feng in Van, Turkey, Aya Batrawy in Dubai, and Kate Bartlett in Johannesburg.